Dec 25, 2010

Rosa Linke

Follow the jump below to find out which blogging network you should join in order to network with other visual artists, why blogs are great outlets for unused material, and which other blogs Rosa recommends.

What's your name, how old are you, and what do you do for a living (or all day, for that matter)?

My name is Rosa Linke and I turned 33 last October. I work as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator. I like networks, coming from one to the other... and exchanging ideas.

How long have you been blogging? How did you get around to blogging?

I have decided to take up blogging in February 2009, because the website representing my work has become somewhat outdated. I was looking for a new, more contemporary format. My friends' blogs inspired me. Also, I previously used to supervise blogs for uni projects have been active with our "Illustration Automat" blog (http://illumat.typolis.net/) and our studio project (http://kreativetage.blogspot.com/) still.

I want to showcase my work, announce publications and exhibitions, show what else I do and what I like. My blog is visually-focused, with brief explanations.

I enjoy being able to publish independently from "real" publications, plus the format of a blog is virtually screaming for more and thus keeps me posting. One of my favorite projects was an advent calendar in December 2009. Illustrator and photographer friends of mine contributed different pictures for each day. I repeated that again this year. (http://rosalinke.blogspot.com/search/label/advent)

Who's your target audience?

Presently my posts are pretty varied ... Exhibitions of print graphics, illustrations, stuff from print magazines, travel images. I think all this might interest like-minded people. My blog works like a personal portfolio that I refer to just like to my website.

Who designed your blog? How much was that? In case you designed your own layout: Where did you learn how to?

The layout is an altered version of a Blogspot template. A friend taught me some basic HTML.

Which software and which host do you use? Can you recommend them?

I opted for Blogspot because many of my friends are other illustrators are there. Like that, networking is very easy.

What role play photos, MP3-files or video clips on your blog? If you use them, would you mind showing us one?

My blog is built around pictures, but from time to time I also post animated GIF files or link to my photos on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosalka). The image I chose to display here is the first draft of a poster that would have landed in my drawer if it hadn't been for my blog.

How many readers do you have? How many would you like to have? Does their number matter to you at all?

According to statistics I get around 1000 visits a month, through feeds and stuff maybe even more. It's nice to know that people pop by. But even just for myself, publishing things is important.

Can you learn how to blog? Do you need to know a lot about computers? Do you have any advice for beginners?

Blogging is very easy. It's the ideal alternative to a website.

Have you made negative experiences with blogging, too? What kind?

Nope, none.

And have you ever made money through your blog? If yes, how so?

Not really. While I do advertise my products and publications, I don't personally sell them. So it's more of an indirect way, I guess.

Do you use twitter, too? Why (not)? What pros and cons do you see when it comes to twitter?

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